Vulcanizing machine



March 26, 1946. F. RQBRITT 2,397,404

VULCANIZING MACHINE Filed Jan. 5, 1944 I Patented Mar. 26, 1946 UNITED STATES PATENTL OFFlCE.-.j-

-2,s97,404- I 1 vULeANIzmG MACHINE Fred R. Britt, RisingFawn, Ga. v Application January 5, 1944, Serial No. 517,085

2 Claims. Cl.18 18) The present invention relates to a vulcanizing machine and more particularly pertains to apparatus of this type for vulcanizing rubber articles, such as patches and valve stems to inner tubes and the like.

It is an object of the invention to provide a vulcanizing device wherein pressure may be quickly applied to the articles to be vulcanized, including means for maintaining the articles under pressure during the application of heat.

A more specific object of the invention resides in providing a frame having an arm extending therefrom for supporting the material to be vulcanized and a lever carrying means for applying pressure to the materialsupported on the arm, and a reliable mechanism for maintaining the lever in a position to clamp the articles being vulcanized.

Other objects and features of the invention will be more apparent as the present disclosure proceeds and upon consideration of the following detailed description and the annexed drawing wherein an exemplary embodiment of the invention is disclosed.

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a vulcanizing device embodying the invention.

Fig. 2 is a sectional plan view taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

A vulcanizing device exhibiting the invention is shown in the drawing and includes a frame I4 having a portion l5 which may be secured to any suitable support by means of screws or bolts which are adapted to extend through the openings 6 in the intermediate portion of the frame. An upper arm 1 extends laterally from the intermediate portion I5 and is arranged in substantially the same plane as the intermediate portion of the frame. The upper arm 1 is provided with a relatively fiat upper surface which may serve as a bufiing table or a support for the material while it is being prepared for vulcan ization. A lower arm I extends laterally from the intermediate portion l of the frame and is arranged in substantially the same plane as the upper arm. The lower arm It) may be formed integral withthe intermediate portion and has a relatively wide and substantially flat top surface which serves as a support for the material that is to be vulcanized.

A vulcanizing machine embodying the invention includes a lever 9 pivoted to the intermediate portion of the frame so as to be swingable only in the plane of the upper and lower arms I and Ill. The lever 9 is provided with a handle portion and maybe pivoted to the intermediate portion l5 of the fram by means of a bolt or screw I8.

The apparatus includes means carried by the lever 9 for clamping an article to be vulcanized between the lower arm l0 and the means carried by the lever. In the embodiment illustrated in the drawing a helically coiled spring 12 is attached to and depends from the lever 9, and it will be observed that the spring l2 provides an unobstructed opening along the axis thereof. A spider I l is secured to the lower end of the spring l2. The spider is provided with a plurality of radially arranged fingers. The fingers of the spider terminate short of the axis thereof to provide a central opening 20 whereby a valve stem may be arranged in the opening in the spider which may extend into the central opening in a helical spring whereby the valve stem may be vulcanized to an inner tube or the like.

The upper edge of the lever 9 is provided with a plurality of notches 2|. The apparatus includes means for maintaining the lever in a depressed position to maintain pressure on the article to be vulcanized. Such means may take the form of a dog 8 mounted on the upper arm I so as to swing by gravity and engage the lever 9 in one of the notches 2| as the lever is urged towards the lower arm ID. The upper arm 1 may be provided with a depending web 22 which provides a convenient structure for pivotally supporting the dog 8. The dog is preferably slotted at the upper end so as to be arranged on opposite sides of the web 22. In the embodiment illustrated, the dog is pivoted to the arm I by means of a bolt 23 or the like extending through the upper end portions of the dog and the web 22. The lower end of the dog may be beveled or sharpened so as to facilitate the engagement thereof with on of the notches 2|.

In the operation of the device, rubber, such as an inner tube, may be suitably buffed or cleaned by supporting the article on the upper arm I. Thereafter the article may be supported on the lower arm l0, and. the patch or other element to be vulcanized thereto is arranged over the article. Pressure is then applied to the patch or the like by swinging the lever 9 downwardly to thus press the patch or the like on the article. As the lever 9 is depressed, the dog 8 will swing by gravity and progressively engage th notches 2| so as to retain the lever 9 in the properly adjusted and. depressed position. The pressure applied to the parts being vulcanized may be removed by disengaging the lower end of the dog from a notch 2| whereby the lever 9 may be raised and thereby permit the vulcanized part to .be removed from the device.

While the invention has been described with reference to specific structural details, it will be appreciated that changes may be made in the various elements and structural features of the apparatus. Such modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in th appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a vulcanizing device, a frame including an intermediate portion and an upper and lower arm, said arms extending laterally from the intermediate portion and being arranged in sub.- stantially the same plane, a lever pivoted to the intermediate portion of the frame and swingable only in the plane of said arms, means carried by said lever for clamping an article to be vulcanized between the lower arm and said means,

said lever having a plurality of notches in an upper edge thereof, a dog mounted on the upper arm to swing by gravity and engage the lever in one of said notches as the lever is urged towards the lower arm. I

2. In a vulcanizing device, a frame includin an intermediate portion and an upper and lower arm, said arms extending laterally from the intermediate portion and being arranged in substantially the same plane, a lever pivoted to the intermediate portion of the frame and swingable only in the plane of said arms, a coil spring carried by and depending from said lever, a spider secured to the lower end of said spring, said lever having notches in an upper edge thereof, and. a dog. pivotally mounted on the upper arm and depending therefrom for engaging the lever in; one. of said notches as the lever is urged to wardsthe lower arm.

FRED R. BRITT. 

